Investigation and repairs underway following Northern train derailment

Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the circumstances surrounding the derailment of a Northern Class 195 diesel multiple unit at Grange-over-sands on the Cumbrian Coast Line on March 22. At about 6.05am, the first unit of the train – the 05.18 Preston to Barrow-inFurness, formed of two Class 195 DMUS (195104/133) – derailed having passed over a section of unsupported track, which gave way. The second DMU of the set did not derail, and no injuries were suffered by any of the four staff and four passengers who were travelling at the time. The RAIB said that the train was travelling at 56mph at the time, and that the front unit struck a wall at the top of the embankment following the derailment.

The RAIB investigation seeks to identify the sequence of events that led to the incident, considering the condition of the railway and nearby drainage; the planning and management of relevant railway maintenance activities; how the infrastructure at this location was managed in response to local flood risks; and any underlying management factors. The track had become unsupported due to a cavity opening up in the embankment on which the railway sits. A void was discovered in the ground about 150 metres away from the derailment site. Network Rail stated that the ground conditions in the area were extremely wet and described the void as being “unusual in its nature.” Following rerailing and recovery of the stricken train, Network Rail engineers began carrying out ground repairs. Work initially concentrated on carrying out investigations into the ground conditions, using a combination of boreholes, probe testing, radar, and electrical testing, and determining the type of earth and rock the embankment is made of. This enabled engineers to establish the best way to carry out effective permanent repairs.

Once the necessary ground repairs were completed, the ballast and trackwork were reinstated before train services between Lancaster and Barrow restarted on April 22. Network Rail said that 400 tonnes of spoil had been removed from the embankment and almost 84 tonnes of new material was used to repair the damaged site.

Network Rail An aerial view of the two Northern Class 195 DMUS near to Grange-over-sands on the Cumbrian Coast Line. 195104 derailed after passing over unsupported trackwork on March 22; the rear unit of the train, 195133, was not derailed in the incident.

Network Rail Earthwork repairs underway at Grange-over-sands, showing the remains of pipework that passed beneath the railway at this location on the left by the embankment wall. Work has now been completed on the necessary repairs and the line was reopened on April 22.